About St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church · Viera, Florida
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community is a Holy Cross–served parish in Viera, Florida, a planned community developed by the Duda family on a 50,000-acre former farm tract. Founded in September 2001 by Bishop Norbert Dorsey and entrusted to the Congregation of Holy Cross, the parish began with weekend Masses in the Brevard County Commissioners' chambers and daily Mass at Faith Viera Lutheran Church before building its parish center (2007) and dedicated church (January 20, 2018). Today the parish serves approximately 2,600 registered families with a vibrant Faith Formation program (K–12), five Sunday Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a wide range of outreach ministries. Its mission statement reads: 'We will, through worship, education, and action, make God known, loved, and served within and beyond our faith community.'
- Established
- 2001
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. John Britto Antony, C.S.C.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
St. John the Evangelist is a growing, family-oriented community of roughly 2,600 families that prides itself on hospitality and uplifting liturgy. The parish offers five weekend Masses (with a monthly Sensory Friendly Mass), daily Mass, 7-day-a-week Eucharistic Adoration, a vibrant Faith Formation program for K–12, and ministries for young adults, OCIA, music, and outreach. Rooted in the Congregation of Holy Cross tradition of 'educators of faith,' it is a place where parishioners are formed, sent, and supported across every season of life.
Mass times at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 8:30 – 9:00 am
- Saturday: 3:00 – 4:00 pm
- By appointment through the Parish Office
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration open 7 days a week, 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Parish Identity, Mission & Patron
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community is a parish of the Diocese of Orlando, served since its founding by the Congregation of Holy Cross (C.S.C.). The parish mission statement reads: 'We will, through worship, education, and action, make God known, loved, and served within and beyond our faith community.' The parish is named for St. John the Evangelist, whose feast is celebrated on December 27.
- Diocese: Orlando
- Served by: Congregation of Holy Cross (C.S.C.)
- Patron: St. John the Evangelist (feast day December 27)
- Tagline: 'Visit. Explore. Connect.'
Parish History
Founded in September 2001 to serve the new planned town of Viera and to relieve overflowing neighboring parishes, St. John the Evangelist began with weekend Masses at the Brevard County Commissioners' chambers and daily Mass at Faith Viera Lutheran Church. The 2007 Parish Center was followed by the dedication of the permanent church on January 20, 2018, the feast of Blessed Basil Moreau. The parish celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 2026 around its founding date of September 8, 2001.
- 2001 – Parish founded by Bishop Norbert Dorsey; first 150 families register
- 2005 – Ground broken for parish center (Dec 2005)
- 2007 – Parish Center occupied on Palm Sunday, March 7, 2007 (750-seat worship space, 125-seat daily chapel, 9 classrooms)
- 2016 – Ground broken for permanent church (June 26, 2016)
- 2018 – Church dedicated January 20, 2018 (Feast of Blessed Basil Moreau)
- 2019 – Grotto Courtyard dedicated February 2, 2019 (Presentation of the Lord)
- 2026 – Silver Jubilee celebration ('Journey of Grace, Faith, and Hope')
Our Pastor — Fr. John Britto Antony, C.S.C.
Fr. John Britto Antony, C.S.C. became the third pastor of St. John the Evangelist on February 1, 2018. Born in India, he was baptized Catholic on December 17, 1963, joined the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1985, professed final vows as a religious brother on December 8, 1990, and was ordained to the priesthood on April 30, 2011. He first served in the U.S. as deacon and then associate pastor at Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales Parish in Bennington, Vermont, beginning in 2010, joined St. John the Evangelist as associate pastor in 2013, and was named pastor in 2018. He became a U.S. citizen in January 2021.
- Ordained: April 30, 2011
- Joined St. John's as Associate Pastor: 2013
- Named Pastor: February 1, 2018
- Became U.S. Citizen: January 30, 2021
Faith Formation & Religious Education
In lieu of a parish school, St. John the Evangelist runs a vibrant Faith Formation program serving more than 390 children in grades K–12, organized into three age groups: SJE Kids (K–5), Anchored in Faith (6–8), and FIAT (9–12). Adult formation includes OCIA, Adult Confirmation, and Adult Religious Education, with a dedicated Director of Life Long Faith Formation.
- SJE Kids — K–5th grade
- Anchored in Faith — 6th–8th grade
- FIAT — 9th–12th grade
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (children, teens, adults)
- Adult Religious Education & Adult Confirmation
- Young Adults ministry
- Director of Life Long Faith Formation: Kelli Salceda ([email protected])
Music & Media Ministry
The Music Ministry brings together vocal and instrumental musicians of all ages to support weekend and special liturgies. Opportunities include multiple choirs and ensembles, instrumentalist roles, and piano/organ accompaniment. A separate Media Ministry handles slides and announcements at all regular weekend Masses, funerals, holy days, and special liturgies, with simple training provided for new volunteers.
- Sunday 9:00 am Ensemble
- Contemporary ensemble
- Resurrection Choir (sings at funeral Masses; Coordinator: Heidi Pranzoni)
- Media volunteers for slides and announcements
- Director of Music & Liturgy: Heidi Pranzoni ([email protected])
Parish Life & Fellowship
Beyond Mass and formation, the parish offers a wide range of fellowship and service organizations. The Council of Catholic Women (CCW) is open to all women of the parish and meets the third Wednesday of each month at 1 pm in Holy Cross Hall. The Kitchen Ministry supports parish functions including CRHP meals and Soup Suppers. Scouts (Boy Scout Troop, Cub Scout Pack, Girl Scout group) are sponsored by the parish.
- Council of Catholic Women (CCW) — meets 3rd Wed at 1 pm, Holy Cross Hall; dues $10/year
- Kitchen Ministry — Coordinator Richard Bosseler (321-431-8512)
- Boy Scout Troop, Cub Scout Pack, Girl Scout group
- Medical Ministry — CPR / First Aid training (free, courtesy of Health First Foundation)
- St. Carlo Acutis Youth Service Award (CCW-sponsored)
Social Outreach & Charity
The Social Outreach & Concerns Ministry lives out the parish's mission to serve those in need through Charity, Love, Service, and Action. The first weekend of every month is designated Outreach Weekend, when the parish collects donations for utility bills, food, rent, and other urgent requests, and partners with a long list of local charitable organizations across Brevard County.
- Outreach Weekend — 1st weekend of the month
- Habitat for Humanity
- Children's Hunger Project (pack 5,000+ meal packets)
- Feed My Flock; Daily Bread
- Brevard Rescue Mission; Central Brevard Sharing Center; Family Promise of Brevard; The Haven for Children
- Space Coast Volunteers in Medicine; Space Coast Honor Flight; Daily Bread; Aging Matters in Brevard
- Christmas Giving Tree (Devereux, Senior Santa, Student-Parent Program, Holy Cross Missions)
- Walking with Moms in Need (WWMIN) — Coordinator Karina Lightner
- Farmworker Ministry (Annual Harvest Drive, Long Sleeve Shirt Drive) — Coordinator Lulu Farrell
- Kairos; Saint Stephen's Way; Blood Drives
Devotions & Sacred Spaces
The parish grounds include devotional sites that are open to all visitors. The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes was dedicated by Fr. John Britto Antony, C.S.C. on February 2, 2019, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, and is lovingly maintained by the CCW. A Stations of the Cross walk is also available.
- Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes (dedicated February 2, 2019)
- Stations of the Cross walk for visitors
- Eucharistic Adoration chapel open daily 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Mother of Perpetual Help devotion referenced in parish prayer life
Parish Staff
The parish is supported by a team of clergy, deacons, and lay staff in worship, formation, music, communications, and operations.
- Rev. John Britto Antony, C.S.C. — Pastor
- Fr. John Patrick Riley, C.S.C. — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Mike McElwee
- Deacon Lee Levenson
- Deacon Rick Broderick
- Deacon Tom Buddington
- Deacon Steven Prebeck
- Deacon Steve Lumbert
- Kelli Salceda — Director of Life Long Faith Formation
- Heidi Pranzoni — Director of Music & Liturgy
- Schonda Rodriguez
- Beth Lowry — Youth Ministry Coordinator
- Communications Coordinator (parish staff)
- Bookkeeper; Receptionist; Maintenance
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
Information on preparing for and celebrating the sacraments is available through the parish office and listed on the website. Baptisms are preceded by a monthly Baptism Class held in Room 6 of the Parish Life Center. OCIA formation is available for adults, children, and teens who have not yet been fully initiated.
- Baptism (monthly class in Parish Life Center)
- First Communion, Confirmation, Adult Confirmation preparation
- Reconciliation: Wed 8:30–9:00 am; Sat 3:00–4:00 pm; or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick and pastoral care via parish office
- Marriage preparation (contact Parish Office)
- Funeral liturgies (Resurrection Choir serves funerals)
Visiting, Address & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are welcomed at the parish office by phone or email during the week. The Sunday Bulletin is published and downloadable online for the latest parish news and announcements.
- Address: 5655 Stadium Parkway, Viera, FL 32940
- Phone: (321) 637-9650
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.stjohnviera.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stjohnvieraFL/
- Online Sunday Bulletin available on the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Laurence Olszewski, C.S.C.September 2001 – July 2008
Founding pastor; retired to Holy Cross Retirement home in Cocoa Beach, FL.
- Fr. Bradley Beaupré, C.S.C.August 1, 2008 – February 1, 2018
Second pastor; oversaw 2012 classroom expansion to 12 rooms, led 'God's Heart…Our Dream' capital campaign, broke ground for the church June 26, 2016, dedicated Jan 20, 2018. Retired after nearly 50 years of priesthood.
- Rev. John Britto Antony, C.S.C.February 1, 2018 – present
Third pastor; Holy Cross member from India since 1985, ordained priest April 30, 2011, served as associate pastor at the parish from 2013. Became a U.S. citizen in January 2021.